Record-reproduce system



Feb. 13, 1962 G. w. EssER REcoRn-REPRoDucE SYSTEM Filed June 50, 1958 lll m MM5. mv

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GEORGE W. ESSER fvrrfny? AGENT United States Patent O 3,021,394 RECORD-REPRODUCE SYSTEM George W. Esser, West Orange, NJ., assignor to Mc- Graw-Edison Company, Elgin, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 30, 1958, Ser. No. 745,389 5 Claims. (Cl. 179-1001) This invention relates to a dual dictation-machine system in which each machine is operable as a recorder or reproducer, but in which one machine is always maintained in condition for recording when the other is conditioned for reproducing, and vice versa, so that messages already recorded can be reproduced while further incoming messages are being recorded.

Systems of the type abovementioned are especially adapted for telegram-teletype recording. Particular advantages of this type of system reside in the continuous availability of the system to record incoming messages and in the fact that messages which have been recorded on one machine can be reproduced and transcribed from that same machine without having to remove the record from the machine.

Each of the dictating machines herein employed is of the usual type provided with a record-reproduce control which is shiftable to interchange the audio circuit connections of the amplifier with respect to the recordcooperable translating devices and to condition the latter mechanically, if necessary, to perform their respective record and reproduce functions.

The present system includes, in addition, a common selector control shiftable to interchange the connections of the machines with respect to a local transcribing station and a remote dictators station.

Since a transcribers start-stop control is typically of the kind which alternately is shifted between start and stop positions responsive to successive operations of a control member, the present invention provides a safety feature requiring the machine selected for transcribing by the common selector control to bev itself conditioned for reproducing before the machine can be put into operation. This prevents any possible accidental operation of a machine as a recorder with possible obliteration of recorded areas on the record were such machine when in record condit1on connected to a transcribers station.

Other features of the invention reside in the use of av single AVC unit for both machines, and in differently controlling the drive motors of the two machines from the dictators and transcribers stations, as determined by the setting of the common selector control. Other features of the invention reside in the combinations of elements hereinafter particularly described, and will be apparent from the following description.

In the description of the invention reference is had to the accompanying schematic diagram illustrating the inventon.

The present system comprises two dictating machines fractionally shown'in the respective dash-dot enclosures and 11, wherein they Vare referred to as machines A and B respectively. Each machine includes a record support in the form, for example, o-f a turntable 12 Kfor carrying a disc record R. Each turntable has a central shaft 13 journaled in a frame 14 and driven by a friction wheel 15 coupled through a clutch 16 to a motor M. Journaled at its end portions in the frame member 14 and a ame member 17 is a feed screw 18 coupled at its inner end by gears 19 to the shaft 13 of the turntable. Above the turntable is a crossrod 20 supported at its ends by the frame member 17 and a frame member 21, on which there is slidably mounted a carriage 22 for a recorder 23 and a reproducer ,24. The recorderrand reice producer are selectively engageable with the record R as by a control lever 25 on the carriage and hereinafter referred to as the RR control lever. Extending from the carriage is an arm carrying a feed nut 26 which engages the feed screw to propel the carriage slowly across the turntable as the turntable is rotated.

Each machine includes also a power transformer 27 having two secondary windings feeding into respective full-wave rectiiers 28 and 29. One output terminal of cach rectifier is grounded at 30. The rectifier 28 feeds through a lter 31 to an amplifier 32 comprising a first stage 33 schematically shown and remaining amplifier stages indicated' by a block 34. The record-reproduce control apparatus for each machine includes a single-pole double-throw switch 35 connected in the amplifier input circuit and a single-pole double-throw switch 36 connected in the amplifier output circuit. These switches are coupled mechanically to the RR control lever 25, as represented by the dash-dot lines 37 and 38, to effect the following results: when the RR control lever 25 is in record position as shown with respect to machine A in the drawing, the input stage of the amplifier is connected to ground at 39 and the output of the amplifier is connected through lead 40 and the recorder 23 to ground at 41; andv when the RR control lever 25 is in reproduce position as shown with respect to machine B in the drawing, the reproducer 24 is connected from ground 41 through lead 42 to the input stage of the amplifier and the output of the amplifier is connected to a lead 43 with suffix letter a or b, depending upon which machine is referred to, which lead runs to a transcribers receiver 44 yas is hereinafter fully described.

The second rectifier 29 feeds into a solenoid 45, diagrammatically shown, for operating the clutch 16, and feeds also into a solenoid 46, diagrammatically shown, for back-spacing the carriage 22 as may be desired during transcribing.

Electric power for the machines is provided through a plug 47 an dan on-olf master switch 48 in a power line 49 to the primary windings of the transformers 27. Heater current is also supplied to the amplilers by means not herein necessary to show. However, there is sho-wn the means for supplying heater current from the power line 49 through a step-down transformer 50 to an automatic volume control (AVC) unit. This is a standard AVC unit for compressing the input signal volume range before the signals are fed to the main amplifiers. The AVC unit has, for example, a B+ terminal connected by a lead wire 51 to the rectified B supply of filter 28 as of machine B, has an input circuit 52 and has a pair of output terminals 53 and 54 `one of which is grounded at 55 and the other of which is connected through circuitry here- -inafter described to the input of the amplifier 34 of whichever machine is conditioned for recording.

The present system is connected to a remote dictators station 56 only partially diagrammatically indicated. Suffice to say that this stationincludes a microphone`57 for connection to the input 52 of the AVC unit, a switch 58 for controlling the drive motor M of which ever machine is connected to the dictators station and a switch 59 for controlling the clutch solenoid of that machine. Through suitable switching and linkages not herein necessary to show a remote dictator as at a telephone subscribers station may make connectionof his microphone to the AVC unit and at the same time of the switches 58 and 59 to the motor and clutch circuits of the recording machine by dialing a suitable number of his telephone equipment. When such connection has been made he will receive a so-called seize tone appr-Ising him that he is connected to a recording machine then already in operating condition so that he may begin dictating his message at once. v

A transcribers station generally indicated at 60, is pro- Vvided at the locality of the machines A and B. This station comprises a transcribers start-stop switch 61 typically operable as by a cam wheel 62 itself capable of push switch 65 orbackspacing the carriage step by stepV and a receiver 44 typically in the form of a pair of headphones, for reproducing the messages which have been recorded. Y Y i -A feature of the invention is in providing a common shiftable selector control 66 to be operated in conjunction withthe individual record-reproduce controls 25 as above-mentioned for placing the system selectively in condition Vfor recording on either machine from a remote dictators station and transcribing at the same time for the other machine. AThe selector control 66Y is in the form of a1 multiple-pole double-throw switch 67'operable as by a lever 68 between positions which may be designated Record as between machines A- and B. For instance, when this selector control is in position A the motor M of machine A is connected from one side of the power line 49 through lead 69, and is connectedtothe other side of the power line through lead 70, switch pole 71 at its left contact, lead 72switch 58 of the dictators station' 56 and lead' 73. This means that the motor M of machine A'will` be startedv when a dictator has dialed to make connection of his station with the machine. The clutch solenoid 45 is 'nowvv connected from its DLCL power v source through leads 74 and 75pole 76 at its left" contact, lead 77, switch 59-ofthe dictators station, and lead V78 to ground. This means that the clutch will likewise become engaged when the remote dictator dials to make a connection with' thev machine; however,- the backspace solenoid of machine A is: nowdisabled because it is connecteclthrough lead wir-e579 to an"v open terminal of L the selector switch. Further, when the selector controly 66/is inlposition A, the audiocircuit fromVv the AVC unit is.connected.through'leardY wir'e 80,V pole'81 at its left contact andl lead 82a to the inputof the mainampliiier unit 34 of the' machine. A, andthe output of this amplifier is connectedto the recorder 23. Thugmachine A-whichis itself .in record conditionis ready` for recording anyV message from the remote dictators station as soon as a connection is made thereto.

= The condition of machine B when its RR control lever isin reproduce positionand the selector control 66 isl inthe A position lis as follows: the motor M -ofthis machine is connected from one side of the power line 49 through. pole'83 at its left` contact and lead 84,A and is connected to the other. side of` the power.` line through= lead 85 and lead 69.. y'Ihe motor M ofv this machine is therefore now running.y At'. the same time. the clutch-45 of machine B isgconnected fromits power supply throughV leadsy 86 and y87,pole 88 at itsV left contact, lead 89, transcribe'rs,start-stopswitch 61, lead 90, switchv pole 91 at'. its left contact, 1ead192, safety switch.93 of machine Brand ground at 94... A featurefof the invention is that `the safety switch 93-which `is provided in each machine-v istied mechanically to the respective RR control lever 25.*asindicated by the dash-dot lines 95, to enable the clutch circuit of either machineto be.V closed from the transcribers station only when the machine towhich the transcribe'rs station is connected is'itself in reproducing condition. This feature, is very important. because4 of motor `of' machine A is started but `the clutch solenoid 45- station, the machine could accidentally be started while in record condition and cause possible obliteration of the recorded matter on the record. This is prevented, however, by the safety switches above described.

Further, as to machine B while the selector control 66 is in its A position, the backspace solenoid 46 of machine B is connected from its D.C.vpower source through leads 96 and 97, pole 98 at its left contact, lead 979, switch 65 of the transcribers station, and to ground through pole 91 and the Vsafety switch 93, ythe same as for the transcribers start-stop switch 61 above described. Thus, the backspace solenoid of machine B, like the start-stop solenoid, cannot be operated unless the 'RR control lever of this machine is also in reproduce position.

Stillfurthenrwhen the machine selector 66 is in A position and the RR control lever 25 of machine B is in reproduce position, the output of the ampliiier 34 is connected through the switch 36 at its lower contact, lead 43b, pole 100 at its left contact, lead 101 and receiver 44 of the transcribers station to ground at 102.. Thus, signals now picked up by the reproducer 24 of'machine B will be amplied by the ampliiier 32 and fed to the transcribers receiver 44. At the same time, the machine B is under full control of the transcriber both as to start-stop operation and backspacing, to enable vthe recorded message on the record of machine B to be reproduced and transcribed.

lf the machine selector 66 is shifted to position B without shifting the RR control levers 25 of the machines, the

is not operable because of the safety switch 93 of machine Ay being still open. -Y Thus, machine A cannot be operated. The motor of machine B will now be con- 4 nectedithroughswitch58.015 the dictators station, and the clutch 46 of machine B will be connectedv through thel dictator switch 59 to enable the motordand clutch of machineB to be operated. The dictator, however, cannot record on machine Bl because the output ofl the amplier 32 of that machine is now connected to an open terminal' associated with the pole 10i). Both the remote dictator andthe local transcriber are apprised of this inoperable conditionbysuitable warning means not herein necessary to show.

When the record-reproduce controls 25 are also shifted in vcorrespondence with the B positioning of the selector' control 66'-i.e., the machine A is conditioned for reproducting. and the machine B for recording-the condition of the system willhave become interchanged with respectv chine A will be ready for transcribing the messages whichl havel already been` recorded by it. As. soon' as the local operator has transcribed the full record of machine A,

` shevwillreplace this record with a new record so that mai recording further incoming messages, the advantage alchine A willbe ready to bel shifted back to record condition as soon as the record of machine B is fully recorded upon. When this shiftingoccurs, she will transcribe the recording on the record of machine B while machine A is ways being that a record placed intoV a machine is both recorded upon and then reproduced from before that reordis removed from the machine. y

The particular embodimentV of the invention herein shown and described is intended to be illustrative and not limitative of the invention, since the same is subject to changes and modifications without departure from the scope' of theV invention, which I endeavor to express according to the followingclaims.

l. In a dictating and transcribing machine comprisingy means for supportinga record for revolving movement, a record-cooperable record-reproduce means, land drive means for revolving said record supporting means and concurrently imparting traveling movement between said recording. supportingY means and said record-reproducemeans: the combination ot' means for selectively conditioning said machine either for use as a dictating instr' ment or for use as a transcribinrr instrument; a dictators start-stop control; a transcribers start-stop control; means for selecn'vely connecting said dictators and transcribers start-stop controls to said machine; and means controlled jointly by said conditioning means and said connecting means for rendering said drive means inoperable by said trauscribers start-stop control when said transcribers start-stop control is connected to said machine and the machine is conditioned for recording.

2. In a dictating and transcribing machine comprising means for supporting a record for revolving movement, a record-cooperable record-reproduce means, and drive means for revolving said record-supporting means and concurrently imparting ytraveling movement between said recording supporting means and said record-reproduce means: the combination of means for selectively conditioning said machine either for use as a dictating instrument or for use as a transcribing instrument; a dictators station including a start-stop control device for said machine; a transcribers station including a start-stop control device ror said machine, said transcribers start-stop control device having a repeatedly actuatable control member and means for alternately shifting the device between start `and stop positions as said control member is repeatedly actuated; selector means for connecting either said dictators or said transcribers -station to said machine; and a control circuit for said drive means including switch means controlled by said conditioning means and switch means controlled by said selector means for rendering the drive means operable from said transcribers station only when said machine is conditioned for reproducinv.

3. In a dictating and transcribing machine comprising means for supporting a record for revolving movement, a record-cooperable record-reproduce means, and drive means for revolving said record supporting means and concurrently imparting traveling movement between said record supporting means and said record-reproduce means: the combination of an audio circuit including an ampliiier, said record-reproduce means `and a conditioning means movable into record position for connecting said record-reproduce means to the output of said amplier with the former operating as a recorder and movable into a reproduce position for connecting said record-reproduce means to the input of said amplifier with the former operating as La reproducer; s-aiddrive means including a drive motor, an electrically Operable drive clutch and an operating circuit for said clutch; a dictators station including a microphone and a drive control means; a transcribers station including va receiver and a clutch control means; selector means movable into a rst position to connect said microphone to the input of said amplier `and to connect said drive control means to said machine, and movable into a second position to start said motor and connect said clutch control means of said G transcribers station into the operating circuit of said clutch; and means controlled by said conditioning and said selector means for connecting said transcribers receiver to the output of said amplifier only when said conditioning means is `in reproduce position and said selector means is in said second position.

4. -In a recording and reproducing system: the combination of two separate dictating machines respectively including means shiftable into record and reproduce positions for conditioning the machines respectively for recording and reproducing; a dictators station including a microphone `and start-stop means; a -transcribers station including a receiver and start-stop means; a selector means shif'table into a irst position to connect a first one of said dictating machines to said dictators station and the second of said machines to said transcribers station, and shiftable into `a second position to connect said first machine to said transcribers station and the second machine to said dictators station; and means controlled jointly by said conditioning means `and selector means for rendering operable the machine connected to said transcribers station by said selector means only when the respective machine is conditioned for reproducing.

5. In a recording and reproducing system: the combination of two Aseparate: dictating machines respectively including means shitable into record land reproduce positions for conditioning the machines respectively for recording and reproducing; `a dictators station including a microphone and start-stop means; a transcribers station including la receiver and start-stop means; Ia selector means shitable into a first position to connect a first one of said dictating machines to said dictators station and the second of said machines to said transcribers station, and shiftable into 4a second position to connect said rst machine to said transcribers station and the second machine to said dictators station; an audio circuit in each of said machines including an amplier, record-cooperable recorder and reproducer translating devices, and switch elements controlled by said conditioning and selector means for completing the `audio circuit for reproducing from the respective reproducer translating device through said amplier and said transcribers receiver only when the respective conditioning means is in reproduce position and the selector means is set to connect the machine to said transcribers station, `and for completing the audio circuit for recording from said dictators station microphone through said tamplier and the respective recorder translating device only when the respective conditioning means is in record position and the selector means is set to connect the machine to said dictators station.

Sharpe Mar. 5, 1957 Somers Feb. 11, 1958 

